Join Our Team: Job Openings

Are you looking for a “top of the world” place to work? As we continue to expand and welcome more visitors each year from around the world, we are searching for passionate staff members to care for and share Grandfather Mountain’s natural beauty and resources.

All staff members of our non-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation share a common bond of being 100% committed to the mountain we work on and 100% dedicated to making sure guests are able to create their own mountain adventure, no matter how big or small.

Why Join Our Team? Mile-High Job Perks:

• Never tire of the aww-inspiring views from a natural wonder. Meet visitors from around the world.
• Work at a place filled with rich history – natural and cultural. There’s never a dull day on Grandfather.
• Coworkers include some on the wild side: bears, eagles, otters, cougars, elk and more.
• Enjoy a friendly, family environment with competitive pay, along with career growth.
• Get free admission to approximately 20 area attractions, including Biltmore and Gatlinburg destinations.
• Take advantage of employee discounts in the mountain’s shops and restaurant.
• Receive free admission to the park during off-duty hours to enjoy all the many things to do!
• Be part of the new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.
• Work for a cause — our nonprofit has a mission of inspiring conservation of the natural world. Read about the Foundation.

Current Job Openings: Hiring Now for the 2026 Season!

Education
Join Grandfather Mountain’s classroom in the clouds. Assist with, organize and deliver educational programming, including interpretive talks, field trips, outreach, events and more.

• Interpretive Park Guide – Help facilitate daily programs and special events, rove park trails and visitor areas to provide information and customer service, monitor the Swinging Bridge area for safety and guest questions and more. Seasonal, mid-February through mid-November. Read full description and apply: Interpretive Park Guide

Entrance Gate
Join the Grandfather Mountain welcoming committee! Meet and greet guests as they arrive at the park, ensuring their visit will be mountains of fun.

• Seasonal Ticket Attendant – Greet guests, process reservations and arrivals, answer any and all park-related questions and exemplify customer service as a member of Grandfather Mountain’s celebrated frontline team. Read full description and apply: Seasonal Ticket Attendant

Food & Beverage
Got an appetite for customer service? Join our food and beverage team!

• Part-time Food & Beverage Employee – Assist in Mildred’s Grill general food service, including preparation, cooking, cashier, clean-up, customer service and more. Read full description: Food & Beverage Employee

Habitats
Provide care for Grandfather’s resident habitat and educational animals, and lead various habitat tours and programs for visitors.

• Zoo Educator – Work to design and deliver high-quality educational programming for guests, school groups and private groups. Assist with special events and handle educational animals. Seasonal, late-February through mid-November. Read full description and apply: Zoo Educator
• Animal Habitat Keeper 1 – Position 1 – Provide care for Grandfather’s animals, including feeding the animals, cleaning up after the animals, providing habitat maintenance and monitoring the animals’ health and behavior. Also assists with events and works with the public. Seasonal position 1: late-February through mid-November. Read full description and apply: Animal Habitat Keeper 1 – Position 1
• Animal Habitat Keeper 2 – Position 2– Provide care for Grandfather’s animals, including feeding the animals, cleaning up after the animals, providing habitat maintenance and monitoring the animals’ health and behavior. Also assists with events and works with the public. Seasonal position 2: mid-May through mid-August. Read full description and apply: Animal Habitat Keeper 2 – Position 2

Maintenance
Become a dedicated steward of Grandfather Mountain, ensuring the park remains in peak condition.

• Lead Maintenance Technician – Be a vital member of the team, making sure that the mountain is in tip-top shape. Complete daily maintenance work orders utilizing skills in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, painting, electrical, HVAC and welding, and also assist with general facilities and grounds maintenance as needed. Full-time position. Read full description and apply: Lead Maintenance Technician

Natural Resource Management
Preserve Grandfather Mountain for future generations, protect native species, defend against invasive ones and maintain the mountain’s trail system.

• Resource Management Technician – Inspire park visitors by providing unparalleled hiking opportunities and educating guests.  Assist in the maintenance and patrol of the park’s many miles of trails. Seasonal, March – November. Read full description and apply: Resource Management Technician
• Invasive Species Management Intern – Assist in surveying and treating invasive species in the park. Work on projects related to invasive species and pest infestation related to plants, collect data, assist in surveys and treatments, produce reports and analyses and interact with guests. Seasonal, May – August. Paid internship, meets the requirements for a college-level intership course. Read full description and apply: Invasive Species Management Intern
• Protected Species Monitoring Intern – Collect and analyze data on rare and threatened species in the park. Perform surveys, collect data, produce reports and analyses and interact with guests. Seasonal, May – August. Paid internship, meets the requirements for a college-level internship course. Read full description and apply: Protected Species Monitoring Intern

Parking & Logistics/Operations
Want to join a team that can move mountains? Our park support team assists in the day-to-day tasks that keep Grandfather Mountain running.

• Park Support Staff – Support the day-today operations and safety functions of Grandfather Mountain, including shuttle transportation services for guests, groups and more. Read full description and apply: Park Support Staff
• Bus Driver – Provide bus transportation services for group visits and special events, as well as monitor equipment and perform limited maintenance. Read full description and apply: Bus Driver
• Construction Laborer – Get your hands dirty (literally!) and assist with special construction projects on the mountain. Seasonal. Read full description and apply: Construction Laborer

Retail
Help Grandfather Mountain’s hundreds of thousands of guests make memories for a lifetime with the perfect souvenir.

• Retail Cashier Associate – Work in one of the park’s two gift shops, Wilson Center and Top Shop, or sometimes both! Duties include cashier, inventory, customer service and more. Seasonal, March through October. Read full description and apply: Retail Cashier Associate

Seasonal Jobs
Typically, supervisors begin reviewing applications for seasonal employment in January and February to have staff in place by mid-February or March, though this can differ by department. You are welcome to send in an application at any time of the year, as needs may change during the course of the season. Most seasonal jobs begin in March and end in mid-November. We welcome both high school and college students.

Volunteer Program
Learn more about our seasonal volunteer program here.

Where are we?
The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305. We are located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Avery County, 18 miles from Boone & Appalachian State University and 10 miles from Banner Elk and Lees-McRae College. Get driving directions.

Apply Now!
Specific job description links above will take you to specific applications for each position.
To submit an application for general employment, please complete our online application. For more information, call Kim Rupard at (828) 733-2013 or email kim@grandfather.com.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age. Read more about the Foundation.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory outcome of a criminal background check.

Meet some of our staff members in this video: